Alaska DNR accepting bids for timber sale

The Alaska Department of Natural Resources Division of Forestry is accepting bids for a 25-year timber sale on state land near Tok, a region located approximately 200 miles southeast of Fairbanks. According to information released by the Division of Forestry, the sale pertains to 700 to 900 acres of timber per year for a 25-year contract period. Bids are due Aug. 20.

Documentation published by the Division of Forestry notes that the goal of the contract is to harvest approximately 35,000 green tons of timber per year to reduce the risk of wildfire to the community of Tok. The contract may also support Alaska’s renewable energy goal that calls for 50 percent of the state’s power to come from renewable resources by 2025.

The decision to proceed with the bidding process was announced in April. At that time, a Final Best Interest Finding was published that noting that it is in the best interest of the state for the Division of Forestry to sell woody biomass material from state land to a proposed cogeneration facility and/or forest products facilities near Tok.

According to the timber sale prospectus, the size classes and species mix made available on a year by year basis under the contract will vary, and is dependent upon a variety of factors. The majority of the timber that will be designated for harvest in the sale is described as having a diameter of 8.9 inches or less.

Additional information on the bidding process can be accessed on the Division of Forestry’s website.